Device for exchanging heat

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for exchanging heat, particularly for use in motor vehicle air-conditioning systems, comprising at least one coolant, at least one coolant inlet ( 3 ), and at least one coolant outlet ( 4 ), which lead into at least one head pipe ( 7, 8, 9 ), whereby the head pipe ( 7, 8, 9 ) is divided into at least one inlet section ( 41 ′) and into at least one outlet section ( 42 ′) by at least one separating element ( 49 ). The device for exchanging heat comprises at least one flow-through element ( 19 ), which has at least two flow paths situated at least partially parallel to one another, and at least one cross-distributor ( 10′, 10″, 11′, 11″, 12 ) via which the flow paths of the flow-through element ( 19 ) are fluid-connected so that the inlet section is fluid-connected to the outlet section of the head pipe ( 7, 8, 9 ).

1. A device for exchanging heat for use in a motor vehicle air-conditioning system, comprising:
 at least one coolant inlet and at least one coolant outlet, which open into at least one header tube, the at least one header tube being subdivided by at least one partition element into at least one inlet section and at least one outlet section; 
 at least one flow device which has at least two flow paths arranged at least partially parallel to one another; and 
 at least one transverse distributor by which the flow paths of the flow device are fluidically connected so that the inlet section is fluidically connected to the outlet section of the header tube, 
 wherein the at least one header tube, the at least one coolant inlet, the at least one coolant outlet, the at least one flow device, and the at least one transverse distributor are components which form a first module, and 
 wherein the at least one coolant inlet, the at least one coolant outlet, the at least one header tube, and the at least one transverse distributor are arranged on one side of the first module. 
 
   
   
     2. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a second module with at least one coolant inlet and at least one coolant outlet, wherein the first and second modules are connected together such that the at least one coolant inlet and the at least one coolant outlet of each module are fluidically connected together. 
   
   
     3. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first and second modules are hydraulically connected in parallel. 
   
   
     4. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first and second modules are interconnected, and wherein the at least one coolant inlet and the at least one coolant outlet of each module are formed integrally. 
   
   
     5. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first and second modules communicate with one another via the at least one transverse distributor. 
   
   
     6. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein openings of the at least two flow paths of the at least one flow device open into interiors of the at least one header tube and of the at least one transverse distributor. 
   
   
     7. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one partition element subdivides the at least one header tube into inlet and outlet sections in a gas-tight and liquid-tight manner. 
   
   
     8. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow device is a flat tube. 
   
   
     9. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow device has at least two flat tubes arranged at least partially parallel, wherein channels of the flat tubes constitute the flow paths. 
   
   
     10. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow device has at least one flat tube, which is made of at least one material from the group of metals, plastics, fiber-reinforced plastics, and composites. 
   
   
     11. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first module has cooling fins connected at least to an outer surface of the at least one flow device for promoting transport of thermal energy. 
   
   
     12. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein a gaseous medium can flow around the at least one flow device and the cooling fins. 
   
   
     13. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein heat transfer between coolant inside the at least one flow device and the gaseous medium, flowing around the cooling fins and the at least one flow device, takes place essentially by convection and heat conduction. 
   
   
     14. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one header tube has an essentially cylindrical basic shape and a predetermined number of feeds are arranged on its circumference, through which the at least one coolant inlet, the at least one coolant outlet and the at least one flow device extend into an interior of the header tube. 
   
   
     15. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one header tube has a projection on an edge of at least one feed, which engages in a feed of the at least one coolant inlet or the at least one coolant outlet. 
   
   
     16. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein coolant flows through the device of exchanging heat, and wherein the coolant is a fluid which has at least one component from the group of gases hydrocarbons, and liquids. 
   
   
     17. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein junction regions of components through which fluid flows are connected together in a gas-tight and liquid-tight manner with respect to medium flowing around. 
   
   
     18. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising frame elements on at least two mutually opposite sides, which extend over at least a part of a side area of the device for exchanging heat and have a U-shaped profile, and wherein the frame elements are connected to at least one component by friction locking, by a form-fit, by a bonding material, or by a combination thereof. 
   
   
     19. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow device has at least one recess in a vicinity of feeds arranged in a circumference of the header tube, in which the at least one partition element of the header tube engages. 
   
   
     20. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one partition element of the header tube has a recess, in which the at least one flow device engages in the header tube in a vicinity of feeds arranged on a circumference of the header tube. 
   
   
     21. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein flow cross sections of the at least one header tube, of the at least one coolant inlet, of the at least one coolant outlet, or of a combination thereof are configured so that pressure of fluid is essentially equal or has a predetermined value in at least two inlet sections, two outlet sections, or a combination of inlet and outlet sections. 
   
   
     22. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one header tube is a plurality of header tubes, and wherein coolant feeds are arranged on circumferences of the plurality of header tubes and have different flow cross sections. 
   
   
     23. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein coolant feeds are arranged on a circumference of the at least one header tube and in a vicinity of the at least one coolant inlet or the at least one coolant outlet, and wherein flow cross sections of the coolant feeds increase in a direction of a decreasing pressure, which coolant has inside the at least one coolant inlet or the at least one coolant outlet, respectively, during operation. 
   
   
     24. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein coolant feeds are arranged on a circumference of the at least one header tube and in a vicinity of the at least one coolant inlet or the at least one coolant outlet, and wherein flow cross sections of the coolant feeds increase in a direction of a decreasing density, which coolant has inside the at least one coolant inlet or the at least one coolant outlet, respectively, during operation. 
   
   
     25. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one header tube is a plurality of header tubes, wherein the plurality of header tubes have coolant inlet feeds and coolant outlet feeds, wherein the coolant inlet feeds have different flow cross sections, and wherein the coolant outlet feeds have flow cross sections which are at least as large as the flow cross section of the largest coolant inlet feed. 
   
   
     26. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein volumes of the inlet and outlet sections have a predetermined ratio, wherein the predetermined ratio is 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:10 or any intermediate values therebetween, wherein the intermediate values are whole numbers or positive non-whole numbers. 
   
   
     27. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow device has at least one curved section, in which an extension direction changes by 5°, 10°, 25°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 180° or any intermediate value therebetween. 
   
   
     28. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two flow paths are two hydraulically consecutive flow paths arranged in an approximately U-shaped tube. 
   
   
     29. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two flow paths comprise two flow paths arranged next to each other in a primary flow direction of a medium flowing around the at least one flow device. 
   
   
     30. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two flow paths comprise two flow paths arranged one behind the other in a primary flow direction of a medium flowing around the at least one flow device. 
   
   
     31. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two flow paths comprise a number of flow paths divisible by four. 
   
   
     32. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two flow paths comprise flow paths of the first module and a second neighboring module, wherein the first and second modules extend with mirror symmetry with respect to one another. 
   
   
     33. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two flow paths comprise flow paths having different flow cross sections. 
   
   
     34. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein flow cross sections of the at least two flow paths increase in a direction of a decreasing density, which coolant has inside the module during operation. 
   
   
     35. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein all flow paths of the module are flush with one another in a primary flow direction of a medium flowing around the at least one flow device. 
   
   
     36. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one transverse distributor has a second partition element, which subdivides the transverse distributor into at least two flow sections. 
   
   
     37. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow device extends into an interior of the at least one transverse distributor. 
   
   
     38. An apparatus for exchanging air in a motor vehicle air-conditioning system, comprising:
 air flow paths, 
 airflow control elements, 
 at least one air delivery device, and 
 a housing accommodating at least one device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 . 
 
   
   
     39. An apparatus for exchanging heat in a motor vehicle air-conditioning system, comprising:
 a condenser, 
 a compressor, 
 a throttle valve, 
 a manifold, and 
 at least one device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 1 . 
 
   
   
     40. A device for exchanging heat for use in a motor vehicle air-conditioning system, comprising:
 at least one coolant inlet and at least one coolant outlet, which open into at least one header tube, the at least one header tube being subdivided by at least one partition element into at least one inlet section and at least one outlet section; 
 at least one flow device which has at least two flow paths arranged at least partially parallel to one another; and 
 at least one transverse distributor by which the flow paths of the flow device are fluidically connected so that the inlet section is fluidically connected to the outlet section of the header tube, 
 wherein the at least one partition element has a recess in which the at least one flow device engages in the header tube in a vicinity of feeds arranged on the at least one header tube. 
 
   
   
     41. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least one header tube, the at least one coolant inlet, the at least one coolant outlet, the at least one flow device, and the at least one transverse distributor are components which form a first module. 
   
   
     42. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 41 , further comprising a second module with at least one coolant inlet and at least one coolant outlet, wherein the first and second modules are connected together such that the at least one coolant inlet and the at least one coolant outlet of each module are fluidically connected together. 
   
   
     43. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the first and second modules are hydraulically connected in parallel. 
   
   
     44. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein openings of the at least two flow paths of the at least one flow device open into interiors of the at least one header tube and of the at least one transverse distributor. 
   
   
     45. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least one partition element subdivides the at least one header tube into inlet and outlet sections in a gas-tight and liquid-tight manner. 
   
   
     46. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least one flow device is a flat tube. 
   
   
     47. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least one flow device has at least two flat tubes arranged at least partially parallel, wherein channels of the flat tubes constitute the flow paths. 
   
   
     48. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least one header tube has an essentially cylindrical basic shape and the feeds on the at least one header tube are arranged on its circumference, through which the at least one coolant inlet, the at least one coolant outlet and the at least one flow device extend into an interior of the header tube. 
   
   
     49. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , further comprising frame elements on at least two mutually opposite sides, which extend over at least a part of a side area of the device for exchanging heat and have a U-shaped profile, and wherein the frame elements are connected to at least one component by friction locking, by a form-fit, by a bonding material, or by a combination thereof. 
   
   
     50. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the feeds are coolant feeds arranged on a circumference of the at least one header tube and in a vicinity of the at least one coolant inlet or the at least one coolant outlet, and wherein flow cross sections of the coolant feeds increase in a direction of a decreasing pressure, which coolant has inside the at least one coolant inlet or the at least one coolant outlet, respectively, during operation. 
   
   
     51. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the feeds are coolant feeds arranged on a circumference of the at least one header tube and in a vicinity of the at least one coolant inlet or the at least one coolant outlet, and wherein flow cross sections of the coolant feeds increase in a direction of a decreasing density, which coolant has inside the at least one coolant inlet or the at least one coolant outlet, respectively, during operation. 
   
   
     52. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein volumes of the inlet and outlet sections have a predetermined ratio, wherein the predetermined ratio is 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:10 or any intermediate values therebetween, wherein the intermediate values are whole numbers or positive non-whole numbers. 
   
   
     53. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least one flow device has at least one curved section, in which an extension direction changes by 5°, 10°, 25°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 180° or any intermediate value therebetween. 
   
   
     54. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least two flow paths are two hydraulically consecutive flow paths arranged in an approximately U-shaped tube. 
   
   
     55. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least two flow paths comprise two flow paths arranged next to each other in a primary flow direction of a medium flowing around the at least one flow device. 
   
   
     56. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least two flow paths comprise two flow paths arranged one behind the other in a primary flow direction of a medium flowing around the at least one flow device. 
   
   
     57. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least two flow paths comprise a number of flow paths divisible by four. 
   
   
     58. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least two flow paths comprise flow paths having different flow cross sections. 
   
   
     59. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least one transverse distributor has a second partition element, which subdivides the transverse distributor into at least two flow sections. 
   
   
     60. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least one flow device extends into an interior of the at least one transverse distributor. 
   
   
     61. The device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the at least two flow paths comprises a row of flow paths in which flow paths are located on two opposite sides of a flow path hydraulically consecutive to the at least one header tube. 
   
   
     62. An apparatus for exchanging air in a motor vehicle air-conditioning system, comprising:
 air flow paths, 
 airflow control elements, 
 at least one air delivery device, and 
 a housing accommodating at least one device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 . 
 
   
   
     63. An apparatus for exchanging heat in a motor vehicle air-conditioning system, comprising:
 a condenser, 
 a compressor, 
 a throttle, 
 a manifold, and 
 at least one device for exchanging heat as claimed in  claim 40 .